"No Child Left Behind" still perplexes me because I know I do not know enough about it. I do know that a nephew and niece of mine who have struggled academically were told BY teachers that the teachers felt that they should consider alternative forms of education. They both have learning disabilities.
I have heard from teachers that there are unrealistic expectations put upon the teachers to "prepare" students who will never truly comprehend (Special Ed, or disabled students) or be capable of passing some of those year end tests -- to "DO IT!" and the result is humiliating for children and incredibly frustrating and painful for teachers who feel incredible pressure to push an impossible situation along. I haven't heard more than cliches about it and thus feel that it is ineffective. Of course, since I am pursuing teacher certification and NOT in the classrooms yet, I respect what teachers I know have to say about it. They don't think highly of it, nor do they seem to think it's effective. But I still wonder exactly what it is...